Legislator Craig Lopez is a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley currently residing in Pine Bush located in the beautiful Town of Shawangunk. He graduated from Pine Bush High School after suffering a high-level spinal cord injury in an automobile accident during his senior year. It has been through determination, hard work and perseverance that he has reached many milestones despite the paralysis.

He has earned an Associates Degree in Arts from SUNY Orange and is currently finishing a Bachelor in Science Degree in Business at Ashworth College.

While working as a graphic artist in a family screen printing business, he joined a peer Mentor program for people with disabilities at Helen Hayes Hospital. As a volunteer and peer Mentor, he had an opportunity to partake in both individual and group discussions - offering perspective for others and provide an example of the unlimited possibilities for success despite living with a disability.

After serving for a year and a half as an associate committeeman on the Shawangunk Republican Committee and with the endorsement of the Ulster County Republican, Conservative and Independence parties, he ran for County Legislator and was elected in November 2011, representing the Towns of Shawangunk and Wawarsing.

Sitting on five committees his first term - Social Services; Environmental, Energy and Technology; Legislative Programs, Education, and Community Services; Ulster County Trails Advisory Committee; Fire Advisory Board and a special committee on The Future of the Resource Recovery Agency, provided him the opportunity to actively participate in multiple facets of County government.

Serving his second term in the Legislature, he served on four committees (Fire Advisory Board; Legislative Programs, Education, and Community Services; and Ulster County Trails Advisory Committee) and accepted the role of Chairman for the Public Health and Social Services Committee. It is this dedication and determined that Craig brings to help him best serve his constituents and taxpayers of Ulster County.

Craig ilooks forward to continuing his public service in the leadership position of Majority Whip.